Deadline to boost state pension entitlement is less than six months away

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Using our online tool means only a few clicks could make a huge difference to your future Pensions minister Emma Reynolds Usually people can only pay voluntary contributions for the past six tax years, and after the April 5 deadline next year the normal six-tax year time limit will apply. Using our online tool means only a few clicks could make a huge difference to your future.” People who might need to top up include those that took a career break as well as low earners or expatriates living and working abroad Alice Haine, Bestinvest by Evelyn Partners People can find out more about making voluntary contributions at www.gov.uk/voluntary-national-insurance-contributions. Alice Haine, personal finance analyst at Bestinvest by Evelyn Partners, the online investment platform, said: “People typically need at least 10 qualifying years of NI contributions to receive any state pension at all and at least 35 years to receive the full new state pension – though they don’t need to be consecutive years. This deadline has been extended a couple of times in the past, which makes it more likely the Government will stick to the April cut-off point this time around Alice Haine, Bestinvest by Evelyn Partners “People simply need to log into their personal tax account or the HMRC app to not only view any payment gaps but also check if they can plug those gaps directly through the Government’s digital channels.